Everyone sees holidays coming, but birthdays, anniversaries, and other personal events can put a serious ding in your budget if you're not careful. Those unexpected costs can sneak up on you if you've forgotten someone's birthday and wind up spending more than you should because you didn't think or didn't have time to make or do something personal instead. The solution is simple: start a gift calendar for the next year with those events already marked down, so you have plenty of warning.

Granted, it's one thing to overspend on a gift—not too many people look back on gifts they've given others and think "I should have gotten something cheaper" (at least, not until the credit card bill comes in,) but surprise costs can make budgeting difficult. Your gift calendar can be a paper calendar you hang on the wall, but we'd suggest using something like Google Calendar, iCal, or some other tool that provides you a reminder well in advance of the event. That way you have warning to both think about an appropriate gift, shop around for the right one or make one yourself, and work it into your budget so you don't throw up your hands and put it on credit.

You can start your gift calendar by marking down the big holidays—you know, the ones you wouldn't forget anyway, like Valentine's Day, Christmas, Mother's or Father's Day, and so on. Then add on other events, like wedding anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. Before you know it, your calendar will be ready to go, saved, and automated. A few minutes of effort can save you a lot of money in last-minute purchases.